Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurio

Information

The Red-backed Shrike is the only shrike species that was to some extent able to maintain its population in our country. However, this inhabitant of low thorny scrub and traditional farmland has now become much rarer in the Swiss lowlands. It often spears its prey on thorns or pointed side branches to handle them and dissect them or to store them in its larder. Hence its old, country name Nine Killer or Butcher Bird. People used to mistakenly believe that it always spikes nine insects before eating one.

Voice

Status (in CH)

regular, common breeder and migrant

Annual cycle

The bar on the top line indicates during which seasons the species can be observed regularly in Switzerland. There can be great seasonal fluctuations of numbers. The middle bar indicates the typical migration seasons of a species. The bottom bar indicates the period during which the species normally breeds. As a rule it spans the period from egg-laying to fledging of the young.